Health officials say West Nile found in seven more dead crows

Seven dead crows from Seattle, Kent, Everett and elsewhere in Washington were infected with the West Nile virus, health officials said Friday. The discoveries are a good indication that the mosquito-borne virus finally has established itself in the state — just as mosquito season is winding down.

The latest finds bring to nine the number of birds found in Washington with the virus this year.

Just Wednesday, state and federal health officials confirmed that a Clark County man had contracted the state's third human case of the West Nile disease and that a dead crow in Island County was the second bird case.

The spate of new bird cases "signifies that the West Nile virus is part of our landscape here," said Jeff Smith, a spokesman for the Washington state Department of Health. "We've been expecting this for so long, so it's nothing new."

Until September, Washington had largely escaped the virus that has killed 882 people nationwide since its first U.S. detection in 1999. Last month a Pierce County couple in their 40s were confirmed as Washington's first human West Nile cases. Maine is now the only state in the continental United States without a confirmed human case.

Three of the newest dead crows were found in King County: one each in Seattle's Magnolia and Broadview/Blue Ridge neighborhoods and one in Kent's East Hill neighborhood. The four other birds were found in Everett, Kelso, Yakima and Union Gap, Yakima County.

Information

Washington state Department of Health: www.doh.wa.gov/phepr/handbook/westnile.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/

Public Health-Seattle & King County:

206-205-3883 or www.metrokc.gov/health/westnile/index.htm

Snohomish Health District:

425-339-8720 www.snohd.org/snoWNileVirus/index.htm

State Department of Agriculture : agr.wa.gov/foodanimal/animalhealth/diseases/westnilevirus

Smith said the number of new bird cases means that West Nile cases likely will surface earlier during next year's mosquito season, which starts in May. Mosquito season typically ends by the end of September. But this year's warmer temperatures mean that chances of contracting the virus still exist, though they're dwindling.

How to avoid West Nile virus


The virus is carried by mosquitoes, which bite infected birds and spread it to humans and animals. It does not spread by direct contact between humans or contact with animals.

Avoid mosquitoes by staying indoors at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active, or wear repellent, if you must go out. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus are recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Eliminate standing water to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. For ponds and other places where water cannot be emptied, pesticides that target larvae are available.

West Nile symptoms

Only about 20 percent of those infected have symptoms, and only about 1 in 150 has symptoms severe enough to cause death. People older than 50 are at higher risk of becoming severely ill. Symptoms begin three to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Mild symptoms: fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, rash, swollen lymph glands. Can last from a few days to several weeks.

Severe symptoms: high fever, headache, stiff neck, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. Can last several weeks and nervous-system damage can be permanent.

Report dead birds

Birds in particular are vulnerable to West Nile. They die within days of contracting the virus. If you find a dead bird, report it:

In King County: 206-205-4394

In Snohomish County: 425-339-8720

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Washington state Department of Health, Public Health — Seattle & King County, Snohomish Health District

From Seattle Times archives

Rick Zahalka of the Snohomish Health District expects the virus to become a bigger health issue in Washington.

"It seems that once the virus is detected, it builds for a number of years" before leveling off, Zahalka said.

West Nile virus is primarily a bird disease. Mosquitoes feed on infected birds and then pass the virus on to humans, horses and other animals. The virus can cause inflammation of the brain or the lining of the spinal cord and the brain. Only about 1 in 150 infected people has severe symptoms that can lead to death.

Smith said with night temperatures dropping now, residents should keep screen doors closed at home to keep out mosquitoes seeking warmth. Those going hiking, camping or fishing should wear long sleeves or repellent. Birdbaths and other places where standing water can collect should be emptied.

Kyung Song: 206-464-2423 or ksong@seattletimes.com. Snohomish County reporter Christopher Schwarzen contributed to this report.